Motunau is a suburb which lies within the Territorial Authority of Hurunui, one of 26 residential suburbs which form the wider region. Motunau is the 11st largest suburb of Hurunui in terms of the total number of residential housing stock. Motunau provides a range of housing stock, with the earliest residential housing recorded in the area constructed between 1950 - 1959. The majority of the residential housing stock in the locality was constructed between 1960 - 1969. Residential housing stock in Motunau is made up of approximately 89% residential housing and 11% lifestyle properties.